History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 161

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 161

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a millwright, which at that time included work on both wood and iron. It embraced not only the con-

Marland Company, and started a manufacturing enterprise, in connection with others, at Ballard Vale. Mr. Abraham Marland and Mr. Benjamin H. Pun- struction of water-wheels, with their frame-work and chard remained, and, from this time till the death of appurtenances, but, in addition, the machines to be used in the various departments of manufacturing. This profitable apprenticeship he served faithfully, and thus qualified himself to become a master mill- wright.

Mr. Marland, February 20, 1849, were practically the ! owners of the property. Mr. Punchard followed his father-in-law a little more than a year later, dying Apri 4. 1850. E'p to this time the business had been remarkably remunerative, paying a dividend of twenty-five per cent., year after year, for many succes- sive yeurs. These manufacturers, as has been men- from d in another place, made a liberal disposition of the r. l. rue profits, by which disposition their renown and o efalhes are perpetuated, and will continue to be quite n.t . U through all coming generations.

When thus fitted for active life he went to Glas- gow seeking employment. As he was moneyless. he performed the journey of a hundred miles on foot. lle remained in the city for a year and a half, in which time he familiarized himself to a certain ex- tent with the construction and operation of machinery as it was condueted in this great eentre of the textile After the me seof Mesers. Marland and Punchard industries of Scotland. But desirable situations in the heirs of these gentle- noen od the o he does adlers who Fad from time his business were not easily obtained. The supply of competent young men was greater than the demand. to ficoblaine Uab inter -t in the property. Mr. The young mechanics of the city became infected Nathan Diye w. ho ca pre lone and manager of with a desire to emigrate to America, where it was the company, and en mand such for nearly thirty represented that wider fields and better opportunities

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awaited capable and enterprising workmen. Mr. Smith, being of a sanguine temperament, and of a courageous spirit, shared in this adventurous desire.

So it came to pass that he left Greenock, August 24, 1816, for America, and landed in Halifax after a tedious voyage of sixty days, in which the vessel narrowly escaped being wrecked. Ile obtained work here for a short time as house carpenter. After a little observation, he became persuaded that in Halifax his dreams of prosperity in a new country could never be realized, and hence, after a stay of less than two months, he sailed for Boston, where he landed after a voyage of six days. There he learned that there was a cotton factory in Watertown, to which he made his way, seeking employment. The mill he sought he found two miles beyond, in Wal- tham. Mr. Paul Moody, the master machinist of this mill, which was that of the Boston Manufacturing Company, was glad to see the young Scotchman fresh from the works of Glasgow, those headquarters of manufacturing industries.

It was a fortunate circumstance for Mr. Smith that Mr. Moody was at that time anxious to learn about the latest improvements in cotton machinery abroad, and the methods adopted for combining the spinuing of the yarn and the weaving of the cloth. It so happened that Mr. Smith, in his short stop in Glas- gow, had been employed in a factory that united all the processes of the manufacture, from picking the cotton to finishing the cloth-a practice than unknown in this country. Mr. Moody, eager to obtain the information the young workman was able to im- part, took him through his factory, showing him all his machinery and its working, at the same time re- vealing his hindrances and desires. The result was that Mr. Smith entered at once into the service of the company, a very auspicious beginning for a stranger in a strange land, with no introduction but his honest face and the knowledge he carried in his brai n.

Mr. Smith continued in the service of this company for a little over two years and six months, when he started on a trip to the South, partly to see the coun- try, hut more especially to find a suitable place to locate himself in business. He was not satisfied to be an employé, however advantageous the situa- tion might be. He was ambitious to start up a business on his own account, and take the risks and profits. By easy stages, stopping here and there, for a longer or shorter time, he reached Augusta, Ga., where he found a friend and fellow-workman at Waltham established as a machinist. Here he remained till July of the next year. After a careful observation of the condition of things at the South, its climate, its peculiar institutions, its social relations, its business methods, he become more and more disinclined to make his home in that section of the country. Having satisfied himself, he returned to Waltham. llere he learned that four of his fellow-workmen in

Waltham had established themselves in Medway as manufacturers of cotton machinery. lle entered into employment with them, where he continued for some twenty months, continually on the lookout for some opening for starting up a business of his own.

At length the time and opportunity came. In the spring of 1822 he and two of his fellow-workmen, Joseph Faulkner and Warren Richardson, entered into a partnership, under the name of "John Smith and Company," for the manufacture of machinery. After a careful examination of places for a location, extending as far as Paterson, N. J., and Philadelphia, Pa., they finally fixed upon Plymouth, Mass., induced thereto partly by the promise of a profitable contract for the building of the machinery of a cotton-mill situated about three miles from the village of Plymouth. Their stay here, however, was short,- some two and a half years.

Messrs Faulkner and Richardson were natives of Andover. This, together with the fact that Andover, Mass., was better located with regard to the factories from which they might look for work, and the further fact that they might obtain from the Shawshin River abundant power for all their need, decided them to remove their enterprise to Andover. They purchased the mill privilege in Frye Village, now occupied by the lower mills of the Smith & Dove Manufacturing Company, and at once built a machine-shop, which is the building now standing on the east side of the Shawshin. The shop was seventy-two feet long by thirty-seven feet wide, and three stories above the basement. Business flowed in to the company from the start. Profitable contracts came from Newmar- ket, Lowell and other parts of New Hampshire and Eastern Massachusetts. The amount of business de- veloped during the first five years may be estimated from the fact that, at the end of that period, they em- ployed thirty men. They started in Andover in 1824. Five years later Mr. Richardson died. Two years after the death of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Faulkner died, leaving Mr. Smith the sole survivor of the firm. He purchased the interests of his deceased partners, and assumed the responsibility of the entire business, placing his brother Peter, who had been in the em- ploy of the company for nine years, in charge as su- perintendent.

Previous to this, in the summer of 1829, Mr. John Smith had commissioned his brother Peter to go to Scotland (his expenses being paid, and his family supported in the mean time) to bring over Miss Agnes Ferguson, of Glasgow, his betrothed. This young lady Mr. Smith had known and tenderly re- garded when, twelve years before, he lived in Glas- gow, but his eircumstances then forbade any mention of marriage. In 1828, on a visit to Scotland, he had renewed the acquaintance, which, before many months, had resulted in a betrothal. Mr. Peter Smith successfully executed his important commission, and the young lady was safely landed in Boston on the

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1st day of Angust, 1829, and soon after the marriage took place. This lady died December 30, 1851.

On March 5, 1860, Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah Gleason, who survives him.

In 1835 Mr. John Smith joined his brother Peter and Mr. Dove in the new undertaking of flax-spin- ning, and after that he gradually drew out of the machine-making business till it was wholly given up. It had been very lucrative, and Mr. Smith had ac- quired a handsome property, which was used to good advantage in carrying on the flax-spinning enter- prise.

As to the personal characteristics of Mr. Smith, no better, more discriminating, more just delineation can be given than that we have from the pen of Rev. William B. Brown, D. D., of Orange, N. J., who for some years was Mr. Smith's pastor and for thirty years on terms of friendly intimacy with him. Mr. Brown writes: " Mr. Smith's friends have never claimed for him that he was, in the ordinary sense, an educated man ; yet, if education consists in thor- ough mental discipline, as it does largely, then he was highly educated. But few men have attained to his power of concentrating their thoughts upon a given subject.

" Nor has John Smith been known as a public speaker ; yet in the many little addresses he has made, especially on social occasions, he has spoken with a directness, an earnestness and power that has thrilled many a heart. Hle always strikes the central thought in his first sentence. His remarks are brief, but pointed and to the purpose. I remember one of his speeches that was characterized as 'common sense on fire.'

" Nor has Mr. Smith ever aspired to civil office, yet, by his life and deeds, he has done more to make public sentiment and to mould society than have most men who hold high political stations and live in the public gaze.

"One of the leading characteristics of Mr. Smith was his unfaltering integrity. Rectitude was a part of his nature-duty to God and man his supreme law. He could not take a mean advantage or do a mean thing. He could never look upon injustice or any kind of evil-doing with toleration. His love of recti- tude made him, in early life and ever after, a reformer. He denounced slavery and took part with thir fleeing fugitive when it cost something so to do. WYom the first he took strong and advanced ground on the tereperance question, and made studied and portive speeches in favor of total abstinence that al be profitable reading at this day. But the penal make is that Mr Smith's position as a re- former followed as naturally from his integrity of TevEra does ofe 0 fois cause. Being what he w he end of lox erwie than as he did.

"( Filer 1.4: b Mie stion, in which capacity Mr - all's de was in ster markable. I should way that unustoil bore vny My and other qualities

to match were at the foundation. He had a genius for business. He could see openings before others had dreamed of them. While young, his resources of brain were equal to any emergency. Whatever he touched turned to gold. This was not the result of chance or good fortune, but of quiek business sagacity. He knew how to take the tide at its flood, while others waited till the tide began to ebb. The co-operating qualities of his character were courage, energy, perse- verance and common sense. With sagacity to per- ceive and common sense to plan, he had courage to enter the lists, and patience and perseverance, accom- panied by rich resources, to secure victory .

" Mr. Smith was a conscientious and benevolent man, as his many and large contributions to educa- tional and other beneficent objects abundantly wit- ness. He gave on principle, not from impulse. Con- stituted as he was by nature and beginning life as he did, men are not likely to be generous, and Mr. Smith might not have been, save for his religions principles. He regarded himself as the Lord's steward, and that, having received much, of him would much be re- quired. Thus he brought religion into his business, and made business a part of his religion. ITis giving was under the lead of conscience, not of fancy, nor the result of importunity, not at all out of regard for popularity or posthumous fame. He was modest by nature and shrank from vulgar notoriety. His largest gifts were resolved upon in the quiet of his own chamber, alone with his God.

"Socially, Mr. Smith was always open, free and genial. He was subject to dyspepsia, and at times to depression from the effects of over-work. But this was sickness and foreign from his nature. When well he was uniformly cheerful and companionable. When engrossed in business he was taciturn, but when the hours of business had passed he was ready for a lively chat and a cordial greeting.

" In religion, Mr. Smith was worthy the imitation of business Christians. He never let his business, how- ever pressing, stand in the way of his religions dnties. In his attitude toward God he had the reverence, trust and affection of a little child. What God would have him do, he esteemed a privilege more than a dudy to do. His life was for the most part passed in the sunshine of the Ileavenly Father's countenance- but when His face was for a time hidden by the dark clouds of bereavement or despondency, his faith did not fail him-he had songs in the night."

The last ten years of his life were years of declin- ing strength, and withdrawal from the cares of the world and the society of his fellow-men. Ile greatly missed his old associates in business, but, for the most part, was cheerful and happy, calmly awaiting the summons that should call him to his Father's house. That summons came February 25, 1886. He was aged eighty-nine years, nine months and six days.

A most charming, the most charming, feature in the character of Mr. Smith, not referred to by Mr. Brown,

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which ought not to be overlooked, was seen in his filial, almost religious, devotion to his mother. As a lad, his slender earnings were sacredly hoarded, and placed in the hands of his mother for the family support. When grown to manhood and in a foreign land, his thoughts continually went back to the hum- ble home in Brechin, where the loving motlier toiled at spinning, and loving epistles frequently followed these thoughts to cheer the lonely woman. And when the fruits of his industry began to come in, a liberal share of these fruits found their way, month by month, across the ocean to cheer that mother's heart in her desolate home. No sooner had he made for himself a home in the New World than he sent for the beloved mother, and from the day of her arrival to the day of her departure hence, gave to her the best the house afforded, thus making her last days as peaceful and comfortable as hier early days had been troublesome and pinching. Perchance, however, he may have been, instinctively, but paying a debt of nature; since to her mainly, by heredity, he was doubt- less indebted for the energy, courage and faith which carried him on to wealth and eminence.1

JIR. PETER SMITH was born in Brecbin, Forfar- shire, Scotland, September 21, 1802. He was the fourth of five children, and bore the name of his father, who was a carpenter by trade. When eight years of age his father died, which left the mother in charge of the children, and in straitened circum- stances. The oldest son was her only assistance in providing for the support of the family. Her means of earning a livelihood was the spinning-wheel, which she plied with great diligence. The year after the death of his father the lad went to work for a farmer during the harvest season, and from this time on ward till his fifteenth year was engaged for brief periods in different employments as he could obtain them, courageously striving to support himself and assist his mother in her arduous task. He passed through not a few trying circumstances and scenes which tested his powers of endurance and perseverance. When fourteen years of age, he took it into his head to go to Glasgow, where his brother James worked, in pursuit of employment. This city was more than one hun- dred miles from Brechin. Over this distance, on foot and alone, drenched by rain and benumbed by snow, with money sufficient only for one night's entertain- ment at a public-house, he boldly plodded his way to his destination. Too proud to beg for food, and too desti- tute to purchase it, he depended upon the pity and kindness of the good people whose doors necessity compelled him to enter for shelter and nourishment. In reviewing this episode in his life, he writes : " It was only by perseverance and the kind providence of my Heavenly Father that I ever got there."

He spent a year in work as a weaver in Glasgow, where he attended an evening school for a time, mule the acquaintance of a "good ('hristian man," who, possessing a fine library, encouraged him in reading profitable books. This "good Christian " took a very lively interest iu the plucky boy, and suggested to his brother James that weaving was not the employment for which he was best adapted. This suggestion was heeded and led to his attaining, through the influence of a maternal uncle, a situation as apprentice to a wheelwright in Kerrimuir. His return to Brechin was on foot, as had been his departure, but not with- out money sufficient for food and lodging. Having made a short visit to his mother, he procceded to his destination, and served an apprenticeship of four years to the trade of a wheelwright. The first two of these years were uneventful. During the third his attention was specially called to the subject of per- sonal religion. As a boy, he had been trained by his mother in the Catechism, to forms of worship and to respect and value religion. But at this time, as never before, he was brought to see the importance of per- sonal piety, and to seek acceptance with God through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In this spiritual awakening his moral and intellectual faculties receiv- ed a marked development. The realities of the present life, its responsibilities and possibilities, and the realities of the life to come, as set forth in the Scrip- ures, took such hold upon his mind and heart as not only to create him anew in the purposes and desires he cherished, but also served to awaken and enlarge his mental powers. He says of himself at this time, " The Lord led me in a wonderful way to seek salva- tion and to make a personal application of the truth of His Word." The wheelwright's apprentice, with no schooling, sprang at once into the office of teacher. Overcoming his natural diffidence and the defects of his education, he took part in the social and prayer- meetings of the place, was a teacher in the Sabbath- school, and, on invitation, addressed large audiences in neighboring places with acceptance and effect.

Having faithfully served his apprenticeship, on coming to the age of twenty years he began to look about for the place of his life's work. From early youth his cherished desire had been to make his home in America. His brother John had already established himself here. With him he communi- cated, making known his wishes. This resulted in his receiving an invitation from his brother to come to him. He embarked at Liverpool for this country August 1, 1822, without a penny in his pocket. IIe landed in Boston, where he was to meet his brother, on September 3d of the same year, with one cent in his pocket, which he had received as a gift from one of the passengers. Ilis brother was not in the city to receive him. The solitary cent was spent for a drink of ginger beer, and then the penniless young man went out into the great city to await his fate. He was directed to a hotel kept by Scotch people,

1 The engraving of Mr. John Smith was made from a photograph taken when he was eighty-nine years and eight months old, and in com- paratively good health, and only about four months before he died.

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where he received a cordial welcome. His own words best describe this reception. It was at the Burns Tavern, kept by a Mr. Nicholson and wife. "I sup- pose that all the Scotchmen that were then about Boston called to see me and get the news from Scot- land I was feasted a- if I were some great charac-

ter . In the midst of it all } began to think there was too much whiskey nsed. I often look back with thankfulness to God that I was preserved from the temptation of drink, which was freely offered to me. I was then in my twentieth year, and, with the ex- citement of landing on a foreign shore, I was in a condition to become an easy prey to the temptation of strong drink ; but, thanks be to God, I was saved!" In a short time his brother John came on, and a most hearty greeting was exchanged between the brothers.

Mr. John Smith was established in business at Plymouth, and thither they proceeded. Peter eu- tered the employment of the company of which his brother was the head at eight dollars a month, " board and washing included." He had not been here many months before he found himself in the midst of a religions awakening, similar to that in which he had received such marked benefit while an apprentice. His spiritual nature had become some- what sluggish and cold, but soon felt the okl flame rekindled, and his whole being revived and replen- ished by the love of God. Again he resumed the duties of a Sabbath-school instructor and became a participant in social prayer-meetings. Ilis labors in these regards were well received and productive of good. With such felicity, earnestness and success did he address assemblies of people, that he was urged by the good Christians of the place to study for the ministry and devote his life to preaching the Gospel. His brother John, though not at that time a professing Christian, offered to furnish him with the money necessary to obtain a collegiate and min- isterial education. This was a matter for the most serious consideration. An entire change in the plan and labor of life was proposed. After long, painful, prayerfnl deliberation he came to the conclusion that the ministry was not the calling for which he was best fitted. He never regretted his decision on this momentous question.

August 24, 1824, at the age of twenty-two, he mar- ried Miss Rebecca Bartlett, of Plymouth, with whom he lived for nine years in the enjoyment of the truest conjugal trust and affection, when she was taken from | him by death, leaving five children, the youngest of whotu was but a day okt.

In 1-25 the firm of " John Smith & Co., machin- isla," removed to Andover, where better facilities were offered for conducting their business. Mr. Peter Smith, being in the employment of this com- pany, came with them to Andover. Here he was woont recognized as an earnest Christian man, active and z vous in every good word and work. lle uni- ted woh the Sonth Church, afterwards with the West

Church. With regard to bis Christian work at this time, he says, " I was often called upon to take part in the prayer-meetings. I was very timid at first, but, as I became more acquainted with the brethren and sisters of the church, I gathered more courage, and felt that they would overlook any imperfections in my speech, if my daily life was 'such as becometh the Gospel of Christ.'" He was also quite interested and active in reform measures-temperance and anti- slavery. His chief pleasure, aside from that con- nected with his family, was derived from his religious privileges and activities, and throughout his life of constant engagement in business affairs the Sab- bath and the prayer-meeting were ever the source to him of the most serene and satisfying enjoyment.

Two years after the death of his first wife he mar- ried Miss Esther H. Ward, June 5, 1835. She still survives him, in a good old age, having been the mother of seven children, four of whom are living. Dea. Peter Smith had twelve children, four of whom ‹lied before him. The death of these children was a severe affliction, but his faith in the loving-kindness of his Heavenly Father and the Christian faith and character of these departed dear ones served greatly to assuage his grief.

Soon after the coming of Mr. Dove to Andover, in the employment of John Smith & Co., Mr. Peter Smith and Mr. Dove entered into partnership for the manufacture of chalk lines from cotton. This was to be done with a machine invented by Mr. Dove. Mr. Smith proposed to furnish five hundred dollars to pay for the material, and to support Mr. Dove's family while he should be engaged in constructing the ma- chine; Mr. Smith meanwhile retaining charge of his brother's shop until there should be a good prospect of success in this new enterprise. The profits of hoth the business and the patent for the machine were to be divided equally. However, before the enterprise had made much headway, Mr. John Smith, having satisfied hinself that the business would be a success, made an offer to join the two younger men in his em- ploy, in this new venture. This offer was gladly ac- cepted, being regarded by the younger brother as most timely, as the elder had the means for starting a new enterprise.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 161

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672